A few years ago we replaced several decks for one client with a number of rentals around town. While the decks we were replacing were cedar, we decided to use TimberTech composite decking, and galvanized steel fencing for the railing fields. These materials should last for decades, without needing maintenance each year. Clearly this is advantageous for a rental situation, but also a great approach for owner-occupied homes.
This simple deck included a triangular cutout for two existing maple trees, and a continuous step along twenty five feet of the deck.
